Transition.

It’s been a word running through my head for the last few weeks. Maybe because we are in transition as my littlest granddaughter started pre-school this fall. Our schedules did change, for both of us.

I embraced the transition as it meant two mornings a week were now wide open to get things done. And Jocelyn, while she fully embraced the idea of school, her young mind has not been able to understand the changes this transition brings.

She wants all the new and exciting changes school brings while still being able to hold onto the old routines. Case in point, she loves eating lunch in school with her friends. Yet once she gets home, she wants to eat lunch with me, “Mimi”.

Transition, according to dictionary.com is “the movement, passage, or change from one position, state, stage, subject, concept, etc., to another”.

At times, we transition easily, and other times, not so much. It sure would be easier if life, like the movies, would fade the music in and out so we would know that change was going to happen.

Change, it’s unavoidable in this life and yet, it is needed.

In her book, Girl Meets Change, Kristen Strong explains that “change is an absolute provision of God’s grace.” Change is the way God brings us to a new experience, a new place, or a new dream to bring us fulfillment through the working of His plan in and through our lives.

I will admit, I don’t like change. Actually, not one little bit. And I don’t do well with it. From the outside, it may look like I am doing well but if it were possible to see my insides, well then the truth would be known, as they are a jumbled mess when in the flux of changes.

So how can we best handle transitions?

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18, NKJV)

We must face these times of change with constant prayer. Maybe even, down on your knees kind of prayer. When was the last time we humbled ourselves before Him, down on our knees, lifting up our souls to Him?

Did you notice we are told to give thanks “in everything”? Why do we only give thanks for those things we enjoy or like or feel like be thankful? It is in everything that we can give thanks. We are even told that giving thanks in all things is the will of God for our lives.

In “Girl Meets Change”, Kristen reminds us:

Gratitude isn’t something we remember every once in a while during the good times. It’s something we remember every day, no matter the season. It is what Dietrich Bonhoeffer spoke of when he wrote,

“Only he who gives thanks for the little things receives the big things. We prevent God from giving us the great spiritual gifts he has in store for us, because we do not give thanks for daily gifts … We pray for the big things and forget to give thanks for the ordinary, small (and yet really not small) gifts.” (from page 120)

How do we handle change?

Down on our knees.
Lifting up our souls to Him.
Giving thanks in everything.

This book is a wonderful read, encouraging for any change in life. Kristen pulls from her own life experiences, quotes from others and rich with Scripture to provide a foundation to handling the many changes in life.

Kristen Strong blogs at chasingbluseskies.net. You can also connect with her on Facebook and Twitter .

*** I received a copy of this book from Revell for review purposes. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Today I am joining … Three Word Wednesday and Tell His Story and Women With Intention and Wedded Wednesday and Literacy Musing Mondays and Booknificent Thursday .